Topic: Test Drive: 2016 Chevrolet Malibu

[Rupert]

I think that GM maybe on the right track with engines. The report describes a refined. balanced and peppy car...just right..what's not to like?

[Mozeby]

No longer rental fleet fodder, the 2016 Malibu is impressively modern and refined.
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Oh it'll still be rental fleet fodder - count on that.  But at least now that's not the only reason any rational person would buy one.  Looks like they did a good job.

You could say the same thing about, fusions, Camrys, Altimas, and Sonatas.  I don't think it's fair to pigeon hole the Malibu as a rental special when cars like the Camry have been the king of boring since the 90's.

[Bubba]

looks like a dodge dart

The Malibu does  Uhhh.....no, just no.

The rear three-quarter view looks like the Chrysler 200.

[Fobroader]

Kinda.....

[Jaeger]

No longer rental fleet fodder, the 2016 Malibu is impressively modern and refined.
Read More...

Oh it'll still be rental fleet fodder - count on that.  But at least now that's not the only reason any rational person would buy one.  Looks like they did a good job.

You could say the same thing about, fusions, Camrys, Altimas, and Sonatas.  I don't think it's fair to pigeon hole the Malibu as a rental special when cars like the Camry have been the king of boring since the 90's.

It's hard to think of a vehicle that has more defined the term "rental fodder" than the Malibu. Probably why the author was making the case that it isn't anymore.

[tooscoops]

agreed.. the malibu is definitely rental fodder... as is 200... sonata... the others seem to be slightly lesser degree. doesn't mean they are bad cars, just rather uninteresting. exactly what a large portion of people are looking for.

looks nice... and i really appreciated hearing about the car, not just that it has wifi... those ads are really getting on my nerves. stop focusing on the most useless part of the car!

oh, and no... it doesn't look like a dart. nope.

[conwelpic]

looks nice... and i really appreciated hearing about the car, not just that it has wifi... those ads are really getting on my nerves. stop focusing on the most useless part of the car!

I agree, ever read the fine print on that feature, its extremely expensive (1 gb - $20; 5 gb - $60 per month!) and just getting you sucked in to paying yet another monthly fee along with the On-Star fee ($250 - $400 a year) - I bet many people think all this comes free (for a limited time only - then watch out!).

[Ex-airbalancer]

looks nice... and i really appreciated hearing about the car, not just that it has wifi... those ads are really getting on my nerves. stop focusing on the most useless part of the car!

I agree, ever read the fine print on that feature, its extremely expensive (1 gb - $20; 5 gb - $60 per month!) and just getting you sucked in to paying yet another monthly fee along with the On-Star fee ($250 - $400 a year) - I bet many people think all this comes free (for a limited time only - then watch out!).

Only stupid people would think it is free

[Oldsguy]

No longer rental fleet fodder, the 2016 Malibu is impressively modern and refined.
Read More...

Oh it'll still be rental fleet fodder - count on that.  But at least now that's not the only reason any rational person would buy one.  Looks like they did a good job.

You could say the same thing about, fusions, Camrys, Altimas, and Sonatas.  I don't think it's fair to pigeon hole the Malibu as a rental special when cars like the Camry have been the king of boring since the 90's.

Well, one must consider the source of the comment to understand. Some things never change.

Around here the rental queens are Fusion and Altima, with Sonata a rising contender in the fleets. With Hyundai sales of the Sonata disappointing they are doing whatever they can to move the metal.

Back to the Malibu, while the new version is certainly an improvement over the terribly-styled previous edition, it fails to move me very much. Those terribly ugly petal-style wheels on the tester would need to be swapped out before it left the dealer lot. The black painted areas going right to the rim edge make them look like the cheap aftermarket pickup/SUV wheels one gets at Crappy Tire.

[Blueprint]

Correct.  No plug = no debt financing subsidy.

Hybrids get 500$ subsidy in QC. Ontario is getting sweeeeeet deals on plug-ins though.

[Jaeger]

Well, one must consider the source of the comment to understand. Some things never change.

You mean the author of the article?  Wait.... that means you learned how to read?  That's awesome Greg!  Small steps - keep it up.

And sorry to break it to you but GM will always be king of the fleets.  Some things indeed never change.  Now quick - go find a Hyundai thread to troll.

[carcrazed]

At first I think it looks OK, but deeper look proved me wrong.  The simple(bland?) rear end and complex(busy?) front end don't work together.   I'd take a Fusion over this any day.

[me_2]

I look forward to driving the Hybrid version.  From many reviews they claim the Hybrid is the best and most balanced of the bunch to drive.
The Hybrid powertrain is heavily related to the Gen II Volt powertrain.  So it will have gobs of torque.  (182hp and 277lb-ft of torque).

About the incoming Malibu Hybrid, look at the center display, it should remind related to Gen II Volt powertrain 
https://youtu.be/f0QV60vVvo0

[mnztr]

Its a shame they chintz out on the 8 speed tranny for the small engine, when in fact it could use it even more then the 2l.

[Ex-airbalancer]

Well, one must consider the source of the comment to understand. Some things never change.

You mean the author of the article?  Wait.... that means you learned how to read?  That's awesome Greg!  Small steps - keep it up.

And sorry to break it to you but GM will always be king of the fleets.  Some things indeed never change.  Now quick - go find a Hyundai thread to troll.

It could be Ford , to bad the Enterprise numbers are not included , this is 2011 numbers

[safristi]

I thought Malibu was for the Johny Depp set ya know spousal rental set....

[Neromanceres]

I look forward to driving the Hybrid version.  From many reviews they claim the Hybrid is the best and most balanced of the bunch to drive.
The Hybrid powertrain is heavily related to the Gen II Volt powertrain.  So it will have gobs of torque.  (182hp and 277lb-ft of torque).

I was thinking about hybrids and the Volt lately. How much do cars like the Malibu Hybrid qualify for Ontario rebates? Like am I looking at a huge price difference vs. the Lt?

As others have stated no plug no incentive in Ontario (there is also a minimum battery size).  However The Malibu Hybrid will be priced at a fairly reasonable $29K in Canada and come with a decent amount of features.

[me_2]

Seem to be a positive review http://www.motortrend.com/news/2016-chevrolet-malibu-hybrid-second-drive-review/